Russian Wintertales: life drawing and storytelling with Manko and Zoetica

15 Jan, 2019 at 7:00 pm – 9:30 pm

On our first session of the year, AMC welcomes 2019 with a celebration of the Old New Year, guest-directed by Zoetica, honouring the mysterious deities of Russian folklore.

Gather ‘round frosty scenes accompanied by evocative readings of winter tales, in English and in Russian, as our models Manko and Moscow-born Zoetica introduce you to a cast of mythical sylphs and dryads – stars of stories dating back to the country’s pagan roots, recited around festive tables and whispered at bedtimes for hundreds of years.

According to the Julian calendar still used by the Russian Orthodox church today, the Old New Year falls on January 14th. Russian Orthodoxy is a fusion of christianity and old-world paganism, which has made for a folk culture steeped in dark mysticism and superstition. In this enchanted realm, seasons are personified, harvests are holy, animals speak, forests mumble, and dark corners teem with all manner of strange creatures. Some are good, others evil, and others yet can grant you wishes – for a price.

Womanhood, too, is sacred, spellbinding. The women in Russian fables are oracles, sorceresses, shapeshifters; a legion of powerful, nuanced beings, whose allegiances take entire sagas to discern. Artists worldwide have long paid tribute to these magnetic characters, and now we invite you to try your hand at capturing them. Join us for a unique evening of ancient folklore and opulent costumes, set your intentions for the coming year, and immerse yourself in the magic of Russian Wintertales.

All levels welcome, join our friendly and social crowd of regulars!

Full bar, and themed soundtrack

Table spaces, comfy seats and easels

Free paper and art materials, courtesy by Great Art.

(£15 in advance, £20 cash on the door)

https://artmodelcollective.bigcartel.com/product/russian-wintertales

Text and graphic by Zoetica, art by Vyacheslav Nazaruk and P. J. Lynch